Moroccan skater Lina Hilali to make World Cup debut in Germany

Lina Hilali will become the first Moroccan athlete to represent the kingdom at the Artistic Roller Skating World Cup, scheduled from May 8 to 17 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

The 16 year old skater, who trains in Dijon, France, said she aims to “represent Morocco with dignity” and help introduce artistic roller skating to wider audiences in the kingdom.

Hilali began skating at the age of 12 and has since reached elite level competition, allowing her to compete in national and international tournaments open to both junior and senior athletes.

Her mother described the participation as a milestone for Moroccan representation in the discipline, saying the event could help expand awareness of artistic roller skating in Morocco.

Often compared to figure skating on wheels, the sport combines choreography, jumps and technical routines performed on roller skates and requires high levels of precision, balance and athletic discipline.

Hilali’s participation received support from the Royal Moroccan Federation of Urban Sports and Morocco’s consulate in Dijon.

The German stage of the Artistic World Cup will gather skaters from around 30 countries and serve as a qualifier for the final scheduled in Cesena in early June.